Boro boss Steve McClaren has revealed that Eriksson has made a mental note of the huge potential of Boro's home-grown winger.

The 20-year-old came on as a substitute against Crystal Palace on Saturday and transformed the game as Boro hit back from a goal down to win 2-1.

Downing is currently establishing himself in the England Under-21 team, and McClaren made it clear that he has every chance of progressing through the ranks, provided he can win a regular Premiership place in the future.

McClaren said: "Stewart is breathing down the necks of other players and that gives me a great deal of delight as his manager.

"He is a great local kid. He has amazing ability and is making amazing progress.

"He's kept his feet on the ground despite the attention and that's a good thing.

"Sven has noticed him. He noticed him when he played for the Under 21s but he has got a long way to go.

"He has got to get in the team on a weekly basis but he's an excellent prospect with a great attitude to the game."

Downing has now come on as a substitute in the second half of both Boro home games this season and made a major impact.

He has also impressed his teammates, including new signing Ray Parlour.

The England midfielder said: "I saw Stewart at Arsenal a few times and he is a great youngster coming through.

"It's great that he's a local boy as well. I think he has a big future.

"There's still a long way to go but he has a platform now and there has always been trouble on the left hand side for England so he has every chance of filling that role if he continues to improve and does well for the Under 21s.

"He's an out-and-out winger and sometimes you need that outlet.

"He's got enough pace to get past players and he delivers a great ball in. He has done very well this season when he has came on."

Downing may have to wait for a regular chance because Boro have given Dutch star Bolo Zenden a one-year contract and so the Teessider faces strong competition for a place on the left hand side of the Boro midfield.

However, he is playing his part in helping Boro to recover strongly from a slow start.

Boro showed patience in overcoming Palace, and McClaren was pleased.

He said: "With the start we had, Newcastle and Arsenal, it was always going to be difficult, but the last two results show that we've learned from those two games.

"We didn't play the football we wanted to play on Saturday.

"Yes, we were resilient, but we didn't have that flow that we were looking for and we should have been better.

"But we're building the team and sometimes it takes time and the more results we get, the more confidence you get in that gelling together.

"That's the most important thing at this stage, getting results."

McClaren added: "I think we got the wins against Fulham and Palace because of the Arsenal result.

"We've responded well. The players have got some character in there.

"They've come back twice against Newcastle, come back against Arsenal to go 3-1 up, and on Saturday, 1-0 down to win the game - that shows great dressing room spirit."